Every dog has his day and for Northumbria Police dog Louis that was the day he was called in to help find a missing woman.
For it has resulted in Louis and his handler, PC Steve Henry, winning the Crufts Police Dog Team Humanitarian Action of the Year 2007 award.
It was an evening in June last year when Steve and Louis were called into action. They were nearing the end of their shift at Gateshead Area Command when a call came in to join the search for a woman missing in the Derwent Valley.
The woman was described as vulnerable and the search was stepped up after her car was found in a car park.
The area is popular with walkers so it was impossible to pick up the missing woman’s track. Undeterred and using vast experience and instinct, Steve and Louis searched woodland leading down to the river and along the river bank near a viaduct.
There were no paths, so Steve made his way through dense undergrowth and reeds while Louis searched the area north of the weir where the river was shallow. Finding no one, the pair continued on the south side of the river.
By this time the light was fading and the weather turning cooler. Other resources were called in to help, including the North East Air Support Unit helicopter and a mountain rescue team.
As the dog team continued their search deep into a wooded area, Steve was alerted by Louis’ barking: he had found the woman, soaking wet, distressed and in need of medical help.
But their job was still not over – access to the area was difficult, so Steve carried the woman over a small stream and up the river bank, while Louis barked to help his colleagues find them.
Gateshead Area Command Chief Inspector Jim McAll, said: “This was a perfect example of a dog team working effectively in difficult circumstances to successfully find a vulnerable missing person.
“Hospital staff said if the woman had not been found that night she might not have survived until the next morning.
“Steve is part of a well motivated, professional and hard working team of officers and both his and his dog’s actions reflect this.”
Steve and Louis were entered for the award by Sergeant Dave Surtees at Gateshead Area Command.
“When I was asked to provide nominations for this award, I had no hesitation in putting Steve’s name forward. It was an excellent job and I was delighted when I heard he’d won,” he said.
“I’ve worked with Steve since he joined the dog section in 2004. He’s a dedicated dog handler and police officer and very professional in his approach to his work.”
Steve said: “I was flattered to be put forward for the award and delighted when I heard I’d won.
“I was determined to find this woman and when Louis began barking to let me know he had found someone during the search, I rushed to where he was. It just goes to show that all our training as a dog team had paid off.
“I love my job and find it really rewarding when you get such good results whilst working the dog. It’s good to make a difference.”